What does the Church
mean by Ordinary Time?

The Catholic liturgical year—or Christian Year—is not based on the secular annual calendar but rather on liturgical seasons and feasts. Ordinary Time is the part of the liturgical year that does not include the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. This year, Ordinary Time began June 7 with the Feast of the Trinity.

Ordinary Time is anything but ordinary because during this time we celebrate significant feasts such as Trinity, Corpus Christi, All Saints, the Assumption of Mary, Christ the King and special days in honor of a variety of saints.

Through the gospel readings of Ordinary Time we also remember and celebrate the parts of Jesus' life that were ordinary, much like our own lives. Ordinary Time and the seasons of the liturgical year are special times for us as believers because we join our prayers with the Church as she relives year after year the mysteries of our faith.

Taking time to consciously reflect on and pray with the readings of each Sunday provides meaning and motivation for us to live our lives as Jesus did. Make the effort and take the time to make the Ordinary Time of the 2009 liturgical year extraordinary for you this year.

How do the liturgical readings influence your ordinary life?